In a move aimed at fostering active lifestyles and enhancing community mobility, the Town of Sidney has launched an initiative to provide take-home bike repair kits.
This innovative program, the first of its kind in British Columbia, offers four comprehensive bike repair kits, complete with an array of tools, available for loan at the Sidney branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library for up to a week.
Aimed at helping residents to keep their bicycles road-ready, borrowers can now undertake bike maintenance tasks from the comfort of their homes or utilize the newly installed bike repair station outside the library premises.
“The Town of Sidney is taking a multi-faceted approach to encourage community members to embrace active modes of transportation, such as walking and cycling,” said Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith.
“Our initiatives range from establishing a bike boulevard on Bowerbank Road, facilitating free cycling workshops, and active participation in Go-By-Bike Weeks, to enhancing downtown bike parking facilities. By offering these bike repair kits, we aim to eliminate any financial barriers hindering residents from maintaining their bikes,” stated McNeil-Smith.
Following the approval of its inaugural Active Transportation Plan in July 2023, Sidney has began the implementation of key recommendations outlined in the plan.
These efforts encompass a spectrum of measures, including the enhancement of cycling infrastructure and the promotion of active transportation modes.
From February 25th to March 10th, the town will host five bike skills courses, organized in collaboration with Capital Bike.
These courses target adults seeking to acclimatize to e-bike riding and children aiming to develop fundamental bike skills.
Funding for the skills courses, bike repair kits, and the installation of the new bike repair station has been provided by the BC Alliance for Healthy Living.
The introduction of take-home bike repair kits marks a significant stride towards fostering a bicycle-friendly community and encouraging sustainable transportation practices in Sidney.
